The ex-soldier glanced distrustfully at the newcomer. Then he remarked:
"What you say is cant, sheer Jesuitism. It is fellows like THOSE, rather, that ought to have a poor opinion of themselves."
To this the other made no reply—merely he put a piece of bread into his mouth. For a moment or two the ex-soldier eyed him frowningly. Then he continued:
"You seem to me to be a native of the Don country?"
"Yes, I have lived on the Don as well."
"And also served in the army?"
"No. I was an only son."
"Of a miestchanin?" [A member of the small commercial class.]
"No, of a merchant."
"And your name—?"